Ravindra Jadeja (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s premier all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was seen putting in additional work during a specialised training session ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand at the Kotambi Stadium.In a video shared by the BCCI on Sunday, Jadeja was seen engaging in an innovative bowling drill. The all-rounder repeatedly landed the ball between different coloured cones placed on the pitch, following instructions from bowling coach Morne Morkel, who closely supervised and guided the session.

“Coach gave me a task: by the trigger, when I am going to pitch the ball, he will name the colour blue, green and red. He will pick from all three, and I have to pitch the ball closer to that colour with accuracy, like a normal match pitch.“And in between, he also kept two blue coloured balls for the full ball. So, at the same time, he will tell me where to pitch the ball at the last moment,” Jadeja said while explaining the practice.Jadeja heads into the series with form, fitness and confidence firmly on his side. The experienced all-rounder has looked sharp in domestic cricket this month, scoring an unbeaten 52 against Gujarat before following it up with a knock of 36 and figures of 1 for 48 against Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.The left-hander also boasts an impressive ODI record against New Zealand, built over a span of 15 years. Jadeja has amassed 386 runs in 16 matches against the Black Caps at an average of 48.25, while also claiming 10 wickets in those outings.After missing the ODI series against Australia, Jadeja made a return to the format during the home series against South Africa, producing a strong all-round performance.Following the series opener in Kotambi, the second ODI will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14, while the third and final match will take place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 18.

The combined market capitalisation of seven of India’s 10 most valued companies fell by Rs 3,63,412.18 crore last week, with Reliance Industries emerging as the biggest laggard amid a broader sell-off in equities, PTI reported.The benchmark BSE Sensex declined 2,185.77 points, or 2.54 per cent, during the week, reflecting weak investor sentiment.“Indian equity markets ended last week on a negative note, reflecting heightened risk aversion triggered by renewed US tariff threats and rising geopolitical tensions,” said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm.Among the top-10 firms, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Bharti Airtel, Infosys, Bajaj Finance and Larsen & Toubro saw erosion in their market valuations, while ICICI Bank, State Bank of India and Hindustan Unilever ended the week as gainers.Reliance Industries saw its market capitalisation tumble by Rs 1,58,532.91 crore to Rs 19,96,445.69 crore, making it the biggest loser in absolute terms.HDFC Bank’s valuation declined by Rs 96,153.61 crore to Rs 14,44,150.26 crore. Bharti Airtel’s market capitalisation fell by Rs 45,274.72 crore to Rs 11,55,987.81 crore, while Bajaj Finance lost Rs 18,729.68 crore to close at Rs 5,97,700.75 crore.Larsen & Toubro’s mcap dropped by Rs 18,728.53 crore to Rs 5,53,912.03 crore, and TCS saw a decline of Rs 15,232.14 crore, taking its valuation to Rs 11,60,682.48 crore. Infosys’ market capitalisation edged lower by Rs 10,760.59 crore to Rs 6,70,875 crore.On the positive side, ICICI Bank’s valuation jumped by Rs 34,901.81 crore to Rs 10,03,674.95 crore. Hindustan Unilever added Rs 6,097.19 crore to reach Rs 5,57,734.23 crore, while State Bank of India’s mcap rose by Rs 599.99 crore to Rs 9,23,061.76 crore.Despite the weekly losses, Reliance Industries remained India’s most valued company, followed by HDFC Bank, TCS, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever and Larsen & Toubro.

India sold were at 2.3 million units of electric vehicle in 2025, making up 8 per cent of all new vehicle registrations, according to a new report by the India Energy Storage Alliance, based on Vahan Portal data, cited by ANI. This boost was driven by incentives offered by the government and festive seasons. The majority portion of the sales were two-wheelers at 1.28 million units.The total registrations recorded in the overall passenger car market in the year 2025 stood at 28.2 million. Two-wheelers marked the most registrations 20 million registrations, while passenger cars were at 4.4 million and agricultural vehicles recorded 1.06 million. The recorded sales rose steadily throughout the year though slightly improved in the festival seasons due to GST benefits.Electric two-wheelers were the stars of the EV market, grabbing 57 per cent of sales. Three-wheelers came second with 0.8 million units (35 per cent), while four-wheelers logged 175,000 units. The report spotted good progress in electric delivery vehicles, especially in smaller commercial segments.Uttar Pradesh was at the forefront in this, with 400,000 units sold, taking an 18 percent market share in India’s EV segment. Maharashtra followed, with 266,000 units sold, contributing 12 percent to the segment, followed by Karnataka, with 200,000 units sold, contributing 9 percent to the market. The three accounted for over 40 percent in the country’s EV sales.Some smaller states recorded a very encouraging uptake of EVs. Delhi, Kerala, and Goa were able to reach an EV-to-ICE ratio of 14 percent, 12 percent, and 11 percent respectively. Meanwhile, states from the Northeast, Tripura, and Assam, achieved ratios of 18 percent and 14 percent, respectively.A major achievement was recorded in the three-wheeler segment, which attained a market penetration of 32 per cent. The government also created a record with their biggest ever order of electric buses—10,900 unit—valued at a massive Rs 10,900 crore through the PM E-DRIVE scheme.The report also stated that that while smaller vehicles led EV adoption, government efforts to electrify larger commercial vehicles and develop charging infrastructure were setting up India’s EV sector for continued growth beyond 2025.

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to achieve the fiscal deficit target of 4.4 per cent of the GDP in FY26, and it could even better it, a positive signal to global investors about India’s commitment to fiscal management, PwC Partner and Economic Advisory Services leader Ranen Banerjee said.The revision in the nominal GDP growth target from 10.1 per cent to 8 per cent by the National Statistical Office recently raised concerns about the government’s ability to meet the fiscal deficit target.Although the nominal GDP growth rate has been revised downward to 8 per cent from 10.1 per cent, the absolute numbers are almost matching the budget estimates, he said, adding that this means the denominator is not shrinking and the government should easily meet the 4.4 per cent fiscal deficit target.It is to be noted that the government overachieved its fiscal deficit target of 4.8 per cent against 4.9 per cent of GDP pegged for FY25.“It has a headroom to actually better it. We believe that optically speaking, it could be pegged at 4.3 per cent because it is a kind of signal that we are actually not only meeting the fiscal consolidation targets, but we are overachieving them,” Banerjee said.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech last year, pegged the fiscal deficit for FY26 at Rs 15.69 lakh crore, or 4.4 per cent of GDP.Observing that the National Statistical Office’s revision of nominal GDP growth is in line with expectations, Banerjee said softer wholesale price indices, particularly food and oil prices, have contributed to a lower deflator, resulting in a smaller gap between nominal and real GDP growth.However, he said, the lower nominal GDP growth is expected to impact tax revenues, with an estimated shortfall of Rs 1.9 trillion in gross tax revenues.After accounting for GST compensation cess, he said, the shortfall could be around Rs 75,000 crore or Rs 0.75 trillion.Despite this, the central government is expected to have a buffer of around Rs 0.5 trillion from unutilised GST compensation cess funds.On the expenditure side, he said revenue expenditure is likely to be 2 per cent lower than budget estimates, while capital expenditure is expected to be close to 100 per cent of the budgeted amount.As a result, the fiscal deficit target is still achievable, with the shortfall in tax revenues likely to be offset by savings on the expenditure side, he added.

In a thrilling box office showdown, Ranveer Singh’s action-packed spy film ‘Dhurandhar’ has continued its triumphant ascent, amassing over Rs 1200 crore globally, even as it faces competition from new releases. At the same time, Prabhas has made a splash with his horror-comedy venture ‘The Raja Saab,’ which has seen promising first-week collections that could challenge ‘Dhurandhar’s’ recent success.

‘Dhurandhar’ has been running successfully in theaters since its release on December 5, 2025. The movie has earned over Rs 1200 crore at the box office worldwide. While three major films were released during this time, the spy thriller had no effect on its collections. Now, Prabhas‘ ‘The Raja Saab’ has arrived in cinemas on January 9, 2026. And it seems the Telugu horror comedy has affected the earnings of the Aditya Dhar directorial. Let’s learn more about it.Dhurandhar Movie Review

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection Day 38 (Live)

According to the Sacnilk report, the espionage thriller has earned Rs 0.78 crore at the box office on its sixth Sunday (Day 38) at the box office. Note that these box office figures are set to increase further by the end of the day. The total collection of the film in India is Rs 800.28 crore. As per the reports, the movie has earned Rs 1240 crore globally.

‘The Raja Saab’ box office collection Day 4 (Live)

The horror-comedy directed by Maruthi has raked in Rs 2.76 crore at the box office as of now, on its Day 4 (first Sunday). Starring Prabhas in the lead, the total collection of the film stands at Rs 91.66 crore in India. The movie witnessed a major dip in its collection on Saturday, earning Rs 26 crore. Meanwhile, note that the box office collections will continue to grow as the day goes on.

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie features Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan. The second part of the movie is set to arrive in cinemas on March 19, 2026.

More about ‘The Raja Saab’

Directed by Maruthi, the movie stars Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Bomani Irani, Yogi Babu, and Brahmanandam. The makers have also announced a sequel at the end of the movie. However, no release date has been unveiled as of now.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) suggested a four-fold privatisation process in their recommendations on the Union Budget 2026-27. They called for faster and more predictable disinvestment. The industry body claimed that a calibrated privatisation approach would help sustain capital expenditure and fund development priorities, particularly in sectors where private participation can improve efficiency, technology adoption, and competitiveness. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee highlighted the role of private enterprise in India’s growth. “A forward-looking privatisation policy, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, will enable the government to focus on its core functions while empowering the private sector to accelerate industrial transformation and job creation,” he said, as quoted by ANI. To accelerate the government’s exit from non-strategic Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), CII outlined a four-pronged strategy. First, CII recommended adopting a demand-led approach for selecting PSEs for privatisation. Contrary to short-listing entities and then checking the appetite for them, it was proposed that government needs to start by measuring market interest for a larger list of entities and short-list those with better interest and valuation. Second, the industry body called for announcing a rolling three-year privatisation pipeline in advance. According to CII, greater visibility would give investors time to plan, deepen participation, and improve price discovery. Third, CII proposed setting up a dedicated institutional mechanism to oversee privatisation. This would include a ministerial board for strategic direction, an advisory panel of industry and legal experts, and a professional execution team to handle due diligence, market engagement, and regulatory coordination. Fourth, acknowledging that complete privatisation is complex and time-consuming, CII suggested a calibrated disinvestment route as an interim measure. The government could initially reduce its stake in listed PSEs to 51 per cent, retaining management control, and later bring it down further to between 33 per cent and 26 per cent. CII estimated that lowering government ownership to 51 per cent in 78 listed PSEs could unlock nearly Rs 10 lakh crore. In the first two years, disinvestment in 55 PSEs could raise about Rs 4.6 lakh crore, followed by Rs 5.4 lakh crore from 23 additional enterprises. “A calibrated reduction of government stake balances strategic control with value creation,” Banerjee said, adding that the proceeds could fund healthcare, education, green infrastructure, and fiscal consolidation while maintaining control in strategic sectors. The Union Budget for 2026–27 will be presented on February 1.

The Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has requested several key changes from the central government ahead of the Union Budget. These include extending 5 per cent GST to all fertilizers under the Fertilizer Control Order, speeding up GST credit refunds, and creating a single licensing system. The association made these demands on Sunday through its president, Rahul Mirchandani, as reported by PTI. The group praised GST 2.0 as a major improvement, particularly noting the GST reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on Schedule 1G items and their mixtures. However, manufacturers are struggling with an inverted duty structure where they pay higher GST on raw materials than on finished products. “This results in accumulation of excess input tax credit, locking up working capital for manufacturers,” said Mirchandani, president of the association anf chairman of Aries Agro Limited, quoted by PTI. The association called for quick refunds of extra GST credits, especially important for price-controlled sectors like fertilizers. According to Mirchandani, “Faster refunds will directly ease working capital stress and enable manufacturers to invest more in quality, capacity, and farmer outreach.” IMMA is pushing for uniform 5 per cent GST on all fertilizers listed under the FCO. “A common GST rate will ensure a level playing field, prevent classification disputes, and promote innovation without tax distortions,” said Mirchandani. The group also urged on ‘One Nation, One License’ system to make business easier. They suggested creating an online database for license documents that all states can access. This would speed up marketing permissions and reduce paperwork. Mirchandani explained that the current system of getting separate licenses for different states and districts creates unnecessary delays and costs. Making this process simpler would help both manufacturers and farmers get better access to quality products.

Iran has been rocked by widespread anti-government protests that have already entered their second week. What began as demonstrations over economic collapse has quickly escalated into broader calls for political change and the end of the country’s theocratic regime. Protests have spread across multiple cities despite heavy security measures, internet restrictions and mass arrests. As unrest has intensified, one familiar name from Iran’s past has re-emerged in public debate: Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince.In recent statements, Pahlavi has urged protesters to remain on the streets, arguing that sustained public pressure could bring about the collapse of the clerical regime. In a video message circulated on social media, he told Iranians that their presence had “severely weakened Khamenei’s repressive apparatus” and claimed the authorities were facing a shortage of loyal security forces. According to reporting by ANI, he called on members of the military, police and state institutions to defect, warning them not to stand “against the Iranian people for the sake of a regime whose fall has begun and is inevitable”.

Pahlavi insisted that the opposition was prepared for a post-regime transition, saying there was a “100-day plan” to establish a democratic government and prevent chaos. Urging continued demonstrations, he told protesters: “Do not abandon the streets. My heart is with you… We will take back Iran”, ANI reported.

Who is Reza Pahlavi?

Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s last shah, who was overthrown during the 1979 revolution. Born in Tehran in 1960, he was formally named crown prince in 1967 at the time of his father’s coronation.. According to his website, he left Iran in 1978 at the age of 17 to undergo jet fighter training at Reese Air Force Base in Texas, just months before the revolution forced the royal family into exile.After completing his military training, Pahlavi pursued higher education in the United States, earning a degree in political science from the University of Southern California. Following his father’s death in 1980, he declared himself shah in exile during a ceremony in Cairo, later telling The Washington Post in a 1989 interview: “In a way, I’m king-elect.”Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the United States for five decades, announced his plan to return to Iran in a video message and a recent post on X, as demonstrations continued across Tehran and other cities. “I, too, am preparing to return to the homeland so that at the time of our national revolution’s victory, I can be beside you, the great nation of Iran. I believe that day is very near,” he wrote.Pahlavi has lived mainly in the Washington, DC area, campaigning for political change in Iran. He has consistently said he does not seek a return to monarchy, instead portraying himself as an advocate for a secular, democratic system achieved through non-violent civil disobedience and a national referendum. In an interview with USA Today, he said he wanted to be a “catalyst” to help Iranians achieve “full democracy for the first time in their country’s history”.His influence remains contested. While some analysts cited by the New York Post argue that growing nostalgia for the pre-revolutionary era has boosted his standing, others question whether he commands broad support inside Iran after decades in exile.

Cold water baths have gone from something a few eccentric athletes did in backyards to a full-blown wellness obsession. Scroll social media for five minutes in winter and you’ll see people lowering themselves into tubs of ice, teeth chattering, faces calm like monks. They’ll tell you it builds mental strength, boosts immunity, burns fat, cures bad moods, and maybe even fixes your life. And if you don’t do it, well, are you even trying? But here’s the thing: most of the loudest voices talking about cold plunges aren’t the ones dealing with the real risks, or the messy science, or the fact that cold isn’t magic just because it’s uncomfortable.

So what’s actually going on here?

Cold exposure isn’t new. Humans have been stepping into cold rivers and winter seas long before hashtags existed. The difference now is how confidently claims are made, and how rarely anyone pauses to ask, “Does this really work for everyone?” Or, “At what point does this stop being helpful and start being stupid?” Because there is a line. Some benefits are real. Cold water can sharpen your senses, spike adrenaline, and leave you feeling oddly clear-headed afterward. What doesn’t get talked about enough is what happens when people chase that feeling too hard, too often, or without understanding their own limits. Or how cold exposure affects hormones, recovery, heart rate, and the nervous system in ways that aren’t always positive.

And then there’s the hype. Claims get exaggerated, studies get oversimplified, and suddenly a short-term stress response is being sold as a cure-all. This piece isn’t here to scare you away from cold plunges or cheerlead them blindly. It’s here to slow things down. To separate what’s backed by real expertise from what’s just internet bravado. “Cold water baths have been trending every winter; they seem to enhance one’s strength, discipline, etc., and benefit overall health, as well. Taking cold baths during the winter has become a form of demonstrating one’s capability of mental and physical conditioning and toughening. However, from a physician’s perspective, a balanced approach towards evaluating the health benefits of cold water baths should be taken. Thus, an understanding of the mythological claims of cold water baths and their actual facts, as well as possible side effects and dangers associated with them, should be addressed,” says Dr Ajay Kumar Gupta, Senior Director & Head – Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali and debunks common myths around this popular practice.

Myth 1: Staying in a cold water bath regularly will help you strengthen your immune system.

People tend to think that taking a cold water bath will automatically help improve their immune systems. While briefly exposing oneself to cool or cold temperatures may elicit some reaction from your body, it will not actually help build stronger immunity over time. In fact, research suggests that obtaining a good night’s sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising consistently and obtaining vaccinations are all far more beneficial to maintaining a healthy immune system than taking regular cold water baths. If you take cold baths regularly in the winter, for example, you may actually decrease your immunity due to increased fatigue, or potentially increase your chances of becoming ill.

Myth 2: The colder the temperature you are exposed to, the better it is for your body.

That statement is false. The sudden shock of exposure to extremely cold water can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase rapidly and could lead to serious medical consequences for those with heart disease, diabetes or thyroid disorders. Healthy individuals may also experience dizziness or difficulty breathing if they experience a sudden shock of cold water too rapidly. Therefore, it is recommended that you utilize short periods of cold exposure in a controlled manner rather than bathing in cold water for extended periods of time.

Myth 3: Cold water can burn fat

Cold baths have been promoted as “burning” off large amounts of fat, however, while cold temperatures have the ability to awaken “brown fat” (the type of fat that keeps us warm), the number of calories burned from taking cold baths is relatively small. Using cold water baths alone will not replace the benefits of eating properly and exercising if your goal is weight loss. Most advertisements about cold bath burning fat is more of a ploy to sell products than it really is based on scientific facts. Cold water baths have been used by athletes to reduce muscle soreness after training, therefore exposing your body to cold water for short periods may help to relieve discomfort. Some people experience increased alertness and/or improved concentration after taking a cold shower or bath, which is attributed to the release of the hormones adrenaline and endorphins into the bloodstream. Anyone who uses cold water showers as part of their daily routine may find that they develop a greater sense of mental strength and improve focus if approached with intention. When using cold water, the constriction and subsequent dilation of the blood vessels increases blood flow; however, this reaction is only temporary and does not indicate an overall improvement in cardiovascular health over time.Cold water immersion is likely to exacerbate Moisture Loss and Winter Skin; therefore, eczema or sensitive skin may become more aggravated through excessive use of cold water in the winter months. Cold weather may stiffen the joints and further contribute to increased stiffness from exposure to cold.

Who should avoid cold water bath

“Individuals who suffer from serious medical conditions such as heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, asthma, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, fainting episodes, or severe anxiety should consult with their physician prior to attempting cold water bath therapy. Older adults are also at higher risk of experiencing hypothermia or experiencing an abrupt drop in body temperature following cold water immersion,” warns Dr Ajay.“Those wanting to experiment with cold water bath therapy can do so in a safe manner under the direction of their physician. The safest method is to first take a warm bath, and then following that, take a quick cool shower for 30-60 seconds or less. It is best to do so during the early part of your day, and to stop immediately if you begin experiencing discomfort, chest pain, or dizziness.” he adds.